Built Green Canada launches new sustainability programs to enhance net zero building practices

Built Green Canada has implemented several new initiatives designed to catapult Canada’s building industry closer to and beyond the federal government’s 2030 sustainability targets, which mandate that all builders adopt a net zero energy ready building code by 2030. Net zero refers to a home that produces as much energy as it uses.

The first program, Net Zero Energy+, a third-party verified certification program for single-family homes that goes beyond energy and incorporates elements, which are indicated by the “plus”, like ventilation and air quality, home durability, preservation of natural resource and reduction of pollution, launched earlier this year in response to rising consumer interest in sustainability, along with demand from the building industry for greater progression towards sustainable measures.

“Our aim is to take a more holistic approach to sustainable building practices and although the added plus elements are not part of the federal government’s 2030 Net Zero ready targets, they aren’t merely nice-to-haves; rather they represent other key areas of sustainability that will undoubtably emerge on the regulatory horizon in the years and decades to come,” says Jenifer Christenson, chief executive officer at Built Green Canada.

The Net Zero Energy+ Program builds upon Built Green’s four incremental energy performance certification levels, which are easing builders closer to the 2030 Net Zero mandates — bronze, silver, gold and platinum. “Getting to net zero won’t be easy, but we hope that our certification levels can be the ladder that helps builders get there.”

Offering program-specific tools, including a checklist, guide and process flow, Built Green Canada certifies and recognizes the authenticity of projects using a third-party verification system that looks at the build’s energy efficiency and green features. Within all programs offered, builders can choose elements on the checklist, integrating green feature options and stepped increases in energy performance to suit the project’s goal level of achievement.

“This is all about encouraging progress. All of our certification levels support incremental improvements and we’re here to support and learn from industry,” says Christenson.

Jayman Built, a Calgary-based builder at the fore of net zero achievement, was part of the advisory team for the Net Zero Energy+ Program. In 2021 it introduced its first net zero certified home, known as the Quantum Performance Ultra E-Home.

“We are currently introducing Net Zero certified homes into all of its show home parades. Dave Krasman, director of corporate purchasing at Jayman Built, says that the company offers buyers several pathways on the road to net zero — Core Performance, Solar Energized Hybrid Performance, Net Zero Ready Peak Performance, as well as the full Net Zero shebang, which includes 25 solar panels, a net zero building envelope, triple-pane windows with argon fill, an electric air source heat pump for heating and cooling with an electric furnace back-up. All of the options can be built in any community that Jayman builds in — Seton, Mahogany, Glacier Ridge and Wolf Willow. Buyers can expect significant energy savings, starting at $700 per year for the standard core performance option and rising upwards of $2,136 per year for the certified full net zero version.

There is no additional cost for the core performance option; it comes standard on all Jayman Built homes, but the price rises incrementally to reflect each higher level, topping out at just under $70,000 extra for the full Net Zero Certification package.

The Built Green Net Zero Energy+ certification option will be added to several of Jayman Built’s new Quantum Performance Ultra E (Net Zero) show homes under construction in Calgary and Edmonton.

“As the founding builder member and a strong supporter of Built Green Canada, we are excited to add this extra level of certification that ensures not only the highest level of energy efficiency but also waste reduction, water savings, indoor air quality, use of sustainable materials and long lasting durability,” says Krasman.

The second Built Green initiative, the High-Density Program, relates to multi-family design and is applicable to multi-storey, residential tower and mixed use. The program launched a few years ago, but it’s just now coming to fruition as projects involved in the certification are nearing completion.

In addition to focusing on energy efficiency, the program also looks at other critical aspects of sustainable building, for example, water conservation, waste management and materials and methods.

In Calgary, Truman Homes recently completed, Esquire, in the University District, which achieved Built Green’s High-Density Gold designation. The project features 166 homes over two buildings that range from 652 to 1,237 square feet and offers a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom designs, along with plenty of amenities, including a fitness centre, pet spa and workshop.

“Buyers are becoming more concerned about sustainability, looking for homes that are kind to the planet, while looking for avenues to save money. Multiple features within our Esquire units hit both marks,” says Morgan Fraser, digital marketing manager at Truman Homes, noting that the project was completed in February and is now sold out.

The Haro, a 91-unit project with ocean views located in Victoria, B.C., and built by Kang and Gill Construction Ltd., also achieved Built Green’s High-Density Gold status.